A city in Lapland moves location

An entire historic city in Sweden's most northern region, Lapland, is on the move. And it's not just the people of Kiruna who are heading to a new location, it's some of the city's impressive buildings.

Although the city developed to serve an iron ore mine more than a century ago, it's that same mine which has created the problem. Lying beneath the city, it means some of the buildings are currently at risk of collapse. In 2007, after the massive decision was made to relocate, work began on planning.

The new city will have a considerably greater focus on sustainability, but just as in the old city, the heart of the new one will be its unique church. Considered one of Sweden's most sizeable and stunning wooden structures, the bizarre relocation has attracted locals and tourists alike.

Stig Wiik: "We were walking ar, ar, beside the, the church, yes. And I think it's very special, special - spectular! It's very spectular to, to move a church with so much high - weight. 672 tonnes, I heard."

Despite the brevity of the journey, at only 5 kilometres, it was a massive achievement, given the church weighed a huge 672 tonnes. Any lampposts and traffic lights en route had to be dismantled by engineers, and the structure was then raised onto giant trailers with 224 wheels.

Progress was slow with a maximum speed of half a kilometre per hour, but project manager Stefan Holmblad Johansson was hugely relieved when the building reached its final destination.

Stefan Holmblad Johansson: "I'm, I'm so glad. It's feel fantastic that we had the church on its new spot. And it had gone so well - exactly how we have planned. So, I've been calm during those days, but now I feel so happy and relieved, anyway."

Now that the edifice is in its new home, work will begin on forming sturdy concrete foundations. Then, the church will finally be lowered slowly into position. View Less